Side-opening traveling block and crown block arrangement



Feb. 16, 19 65 s MINOR Re. 25,730

SIDE-OPENING TRAVELING BLOCK AND CROWN BLOCK ARRANGEMENT Original FiledMay 26, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR. BURT 5. MuvoR 1. BY HISATTORNEYS- HnRR/s, K/ECH, FOSTER a Heme/.5

'B. s. MINOR Re. 25,730

SIDE-OPENING mvauuc BLOCK AND CROWN BLOCK ARRANGEMENT Feb. 16, 1965 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 26, 1952 Oil' l f l 'lflfillllll 1INVENTOR.

BURT 5. MINOR BY HIS nrr omvexs. ls, K/EcH, F osrcka HnRR/s 02d 4 III](III I Feb. 16, 1965 B. s. MINOR Re. 25,730

SIDE-OPENING TRAVELING BLOCK AND CROWN BLOCK ARRANGEMENT Original FiledMay 26, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q 0 G 03 I 6 To Drew'Wor/rs To Dcad Lincfinchor /NVENTOR. BURT 5. MINOR BY HIS HTTORNEY-S He RRIS, KIECH, FOSTERa Han/21s Re. 25,730 Reissuecl Feb. 16, 1965 25 730 SIDE-OPENINGTRARELING BLOCK AND CROWN BLOCK ARRANGEMENT Burt S. Minor, Whittier,Calif., by Dresser Industries,

Inc., assignee, Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Original No.2,734,718, dated Feb. 14, 1956, Ser. No. 290,022, May 26, 1952.Application for reissue July 1, 1963, Ser. No. 295,587

13 Claims. (Cl. 254-190) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets 1 appears inthe original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification;matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue. v

This invention relates to apparatus and procedures for running drillpipe and flow tubing into and out of deep wells being drilled or beingproduced.

In connection with running in and pulling out drill pipe and flow pipe,pipe sections being handled in the derrick, have to be'moved quicklybetween one side of the derrick, where they are stacked, and the centerof the well hole, and this movement should be in unison with themovement of the traveling block in order not to interfere with theoperations of the latter. Such work requires perfect timing on the portof the crew and a large degree of exertion, and in addition it is quitehazardous.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus and procedures whichwill result in the reduction of the work required, the skill to beemployed and the hazards involved in the manipulation of the travelingblock and pipe sections employed.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the size ofsome of theequipment from that conventionally employed and to eliminate some of theparts. It is also a general object of the invention to simplifyequipment employed for handling drill pipe or flow pipe in a derrick andto simplify the handling procedures, such as eliminating the accuratetiming difficulties conventionally required in the use of the travelingblock.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a traveling blockstructure which is open at one side so that pipe may be moved laterallyinto a position over the center of the well hole by a simple motion ofthe crewman and without the necessity for disposing the traveling blockinitially at any particular point along the length of the pipe or forwaiting until the traveling block clears the top of the stand of pipe.Another object is to mount on the traveling block, preferably at itslower end, a pipe hanger or elevator having a cooperating locking jawwhich is opened to admit the pipe and which is closed to retain the pipecollar on a suspension seat of the elevator.

By the indicated structure, it is possible to eliminate in the travelingblock combination the long extensions to the elevators which arecommonly used and the swivel hook commonly used. Since each or" thesehas a length of approximately eight feet, such elimination results in anover-all length reduction of the traveling block combination of aroundfifteen feet, and consequently a corresponding reduction in the heightof the derrick is possible. At the same time commensurate reduction inthe length of the wire line employed is possible.

It is also an object of this invention to arrange the sheaves of thetraveling block hereof and the sheaves of the crown block typically usedin the top of the derrick for optimum reeving of the wire suspensionline or cable, so that the traveling block is balanced to reduce itstipping, when being raised or lowered, due to the difference in tensionbetween the tight and loose ends of the line, that is between the end ofthe line running to the draw works and the end of the line, known as thedead line, connected to an anchor. I have discovered that, by employingsheaves which are equal in diameter in both the traveling block and thecrown block, minimum line wear is effected, and, when this isaccomplished by means of a cross-over system of reeving to balance thetraveling block, optimum operating conditrons are attained.

In connection with the present side-opening traveling block,construction of the block is facilitated if the two sets of travelingblock sheaves at opposite sides of the middle are disposed at an angleto each other. To accomplish optimum reeving with this form of travelingblock, a similar angular disposition of two sets of intermediate sheavesin the crown block also is employed.

It is therefore a further object of this invention, not only to employsheaves of equal diameters in the traveling block and the crown block,but also to arrange groups of sheaves in the two blocks to correspond inangular position whereby to insure optimum reeving conditions.

A further object is to provide for disposition of the sheaves of thecrown block so that their outermost points from which the wire line issuspended directly overlie, as far as possible, the outermost points ofcontact of the wire line with the respective traveling block sheaves,whereby to maintain the various runs of the wire line vertical and toreduce wear on the line as it engages and passes over the varioussheaves.

Another object is to employ in conjunction with the sideopeningtraveling block an auxiliary hoisting device or grip to engage withinthe upper end of the section of pipe, such as a stab to be receivedwithin the collar at the upper end of the pipe, this auxiliary devicebeing operable by the usual cat line and being movable independentlyduring the intervals when the traveling block is being operated. Theemployment of such auxiliary hoisting means thus provides for conductingtwo operations at the same time, namely, those of positioning orremoving the stand of pipe and of moving the traveling block within thevertical space occupied by the stand of pipe. It is therefore a furtherobject of this invention to reduce the over-all time required heretoforeby conducting simultaneously the different indicated operations.

Other objects and the various features of the invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art upon reference to the followingspecification and the accompanying drawings wherein certain embodimentsare illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a conventional derrick, [portion] portionsbeing broken away, and showing the various parts of this invention inone operative relationship;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale which is taken onthe line 2-2 of FIG. 3 to show the giankof elevator carried at the lowerend of the traveling FIG. 3 is a face elevation of a side-openingtraveling block of this invention in operative disposition below thecrown block hereof;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the crown block of FIG. 3 and shows therelationship of the crown block sheaves;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the traveling block as viewed from theline 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section of a sta operatively disposed in supportingrelationship within the upper end of a length of drill pipe;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic showing of the reeving system to indicate thesequence of the various crown block and traveling block sheaves overwhich the crown block passes; and

FIG. 9 shows a slight modification of the mounting and arrangement ofthe crown block sheaves.

FIG. 1 illustrates the usual steel derrick which is shown as beingsupported upon concrete piers 12 or other appropriate base, the derrickhaving on its top the usual crown platform 13 on which is mounted thewater table framework carrying the crown block of the present invention,as indicated at 14, equipped with a plurality of sheaves respectivelydesignated A, B, C, D, E, F and G from which there is suspended theside-opening traveling block 15 of this invention, such suspension beingthrough the medium of a conventional wire line 16 extending downwardthrough the derrick to the drum 1% of the usual draw works. Also shownsuspended in the derrick 10 in FIG. 1 is a hoisting grip or stab 2dadapted to enter the collar 21 at the upper end of any length or standof drill pipe 22 which has at its lower end a coupling 23 adapted to bethreadedly engaged with the collar 21 of the stand of pipe 22 nextbelow. The stab is shown as being suspended by a cat line 24 runningover a sup porting pulley 25 and extending down to the usual cat head26. A guide line 27 having one end attached to the derrick may beprovided to control the stab 20. By this grip or stab arnangement alength of pipe 22 may be handled through the mediumof the stab 20 andthe cat line 24 during intervals when the traveling block is beinghoisted during the running-in of pipe and being lowered when pulling outpipe, as more fully to be explained hereinafter.

Having reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the side-opening or gap-typetraveling block 15 of this invention includes a cast casing 30 which isin the form of two diverging housing members 31 integrally connected bya back wall 32 and by an integral, vertical, partially cylindrical,central wall 33 which constitutes a vertical bearing face for a lengthof tubing. Each housing member 31, in the form shown, contains a groupof sheaves mounted upon appropriate transverse shaft means 34. As seenfrom left to right in FIG. 5, these sheaves are respectively designatedI, II, III, IV, V and VI. The housing mem bers 31, being flared forward,as indicated, and therefore converging rearward, dispose the two groupsof sheaves at a corresponding angle to each other, as a consequence ofwhich the casing 30 has a generally U-shaped cross section and has alaterally directed side opening or gap 35. The angle of this gap isrelatively small, and in any event is that which provides for aconvenient shape of the casing 30 and provides a convenient flare forreception of a length of drill pipe 22 in some such relationship asshown in FIGS. 3 and 5. This angle may be in the order of 10 to 20, forexample.

Located at the lower end of the casing 30 is a horizontal, curved,pipe-supporting elevator or landing member 40, whose ends are supportedon cross pins 41 carried in the lower ends of hangers 42 which arehinged by ears and through-pins 42a on the lower ends of the housingmembers 31 of the casing 30. Centrally of the landing member 40 andbetween the suspending members 42, there is disposed a horizontal seat43 which may be approximately circular in extent, this seat 43 beingadapted to provide a bearing surface for the overhanging portion of thecollar 21 of a length of pipe 22. For the purpose of retaining pipe 22and its collar 21 in position upon the seat 43 to raise and lower thepipe, a curved locking jaw 44 is employed. This jaw 44 is pivoted to thelanding member 40 by a vertical pin 45 and is provided with latch means46 to cooperate with corresponding latch means on the landing member 40'for retaining the parts in operative relationship during raising andlowering of stands of pipe or a pipe string in the well. The axis-of thelanding member 40 and its seat 43 corresponds with the axis of thecurved central wall 33 of the traveling block casing 30 which should bethe vertical axis of the traveling block itself. A handle 47 isconveniently provided upon the forward wall of the jaw 44 for purposesof manipulation, such jaw being rela tively heavy in a tool of this typewhich must carry loads of a great many tons. If desired, the hangers 42might be integral with the casing 36, as might the landing member 46.The size of the apparatus may be appreciated when it is considered thateach of the traveling block and crown block sheaves may have a diameterin the order of five or six feet, varying with the service to beperformed.

As seen from the side elevation of FIG. 6, the traveling block. 15tapers-both'upward and downward, and the upper sloping face at the frontand black of both of the housing members 31 is apertured as indicated at48 (FIG. 3) to provide for the passage of various runs of the wire line16 extending vertically to and from the traveling block sheaves I, II,III, IV, V and VI. As previously indicated, the traveling block 15 inoperation is disposed beneath the crown block 14, the sheaves of thetnaveling block and the crown block all being of the same diameter andpositioned so that the runs of the Wire line 16 between the sheaves ofthe respective blocks are disposed in almost exactly vertical positionwhereby to reduce wear on the line. This relationship of the sheaves ofthe two blocks .is etlected through the medium of the novel sheavearrangement in the traveling block 15, as above described, and a novelsheave arrangement in the crown block 14. In the latter arrangement, theaxes of all of the sheaves A, B, C, D, E, F and G are horizontal and aredisposed in the same horizontal plane. Since it is desirable to use across-over system of reeving the wire line 16 to balance the pull at theopposite sides of the traveling block 15, the two sheaves A and B, whichconstitute a spaced pair, are mounted at opposite sides of a supportingframework 50 of the crown block 14, and the remaining crown blocksheaves C, D, E, F and G are disposed in a transverse direction andbetween the spaced sheaves A and B. The right edge of the sheave A, asseen in FIG. 4, is substantially in line, when the two blocks are inoperative position, with the rear edge of the traveling block, so that,as the Wire line 16 passes over the sheave A and downward to the sheaveVI, it is for all practical purposes perpendicular. The line 16 thenpasses under the sheave VI and upward to the right side of the crownblock sheave B, passing thence thereover and then downward to theforward side of the sheave I of the traveling block.

It will be noted that, in the arrangement of the sheaves as seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, the cross-over sheave A is located a little to the leftin the framework 5!], and the return cross-over sheave B is located alittle to the right. In view of the angular disposition of the set ofsheaves I, II, and III and the set of sheaves IV, V and VI in theraveling block, and the comparable angularities of the sheaves C, D, E,F and G, when the line 16 extends upward from the forward side of thesheave VI to the right side of the return cross-over sheave B, itsposition is substantially vertical because of the substantial alignmentof the foremost part of the sheave VI with the edge of the returncross-over sheave B farthest to the right. Similarly, as the line 16extends downward from the left side of the return cross-over sheave B,it extends substantially perpendicularly downward to the forward edge ofthe sheave I because of the fact that the left edge of the sheave Bsubstantially overlies the forward edge of the sheave I. The fourportions of the lines 16 fairleading to the two sheaves I and VI of thetraveling block constitute the most important loops that control thetilting of the traveling block as the same are farthest from thevertical center line and hence constitute the greatest moment. Theportion of the line 16 supporting the sheaves I and V1 is closest to thedraw works 18, resulting in a more equal pull. After the line 16 passesunder the sheave I, it starts upward from the rear edge thereof to therear edge of the crown block sheave C, the position of this run alsobeing substantially vertical because the rearrnost edges of these twosheaves are substantially in vertical alignment. The line 16, afterreaching the sheave C, passes thereover and extends downward to theforward edge of the [crown block sheave 2] traveling block sheave'll,the forward edges of these two sheaves C and II being in substantialvertical alignment. The rest of the reeving of the line 16 is indicateddiagramamtically in FIG. 8. All of the runs of the line 16, as it-passessuccessively from one sheave toanother as indicated, are substantiallyvertical, the greatest probable discrepancy existing in the runs of theline from the crown block sheave E, which need not be perfect becausethe closer the sheaves are to the vertical center the less the tiltingmovement. The dead end of the line 16 is anchored at some suitableposition on the derrick after leaving the top of the crown block sheaveG.

From the foregoing, it will, be apparent that, by having all of thesheaves of the two blocks of the same diameter, and offsetting thecross-over sheave A and the return cross-over sheave B respectivelysomewhat to the left and somewhat to the right as shown in FIG. 4, andby causing the live end of the line 16 to extend over the cross-oversheave A and down to the sheave VI at the right side of the travelingblock 15, and after rising to the return cross-over sheave B and passingthereover and thence down and under the traveling block sheave I at theleft of the traveling block, whence the line rises again to the crownblock, the pull from the draw works is balanced as between the right andleft sides of the traveling block 15. In addition, the describedperpendicular positions of the various runs of the line 16 reduce linewear to the absolute minimum possible.

As indicated in FIG. 4, the various crown block sheaves are mounted onappropriate shafts, the sheaves A and B being carried upon short shafts52, and the two groups of sheaves C, D and E, F, G being carried uponshafts 54 and 55 respectively which are generally transverselypositioned with respect to the shafts 52. These shafts are variouslymounted in plate members constituting portions of the framework, namelyplate members 56 carrying and parallel to the shafts 52, transeverselyand angularly disposed plate members 57 disposed at the sides of andparallel to the sheaves C and D and carrying the shaft 54, and platemembers 58 at the sides of and parallel to the sheavesE, F and G andcarrying the shaft 55. Also, as seen in FIG. 4, the far edges of thesheaves C, D, E, F and G are all equidistantly spaced, the near edgesbeing spaced in two groups, namely, the near edges of sheaves C and Dand the near edges of sheaves E, F and G, the one group as a wholediverging from the other group as a whole. This arrangement provides forfairleading of the runs of the line 16 between the crown block and thetraveling block. The edge of the sheave G indicated as G leads to theanchor and therefore does not have to fairlead to any sheave groove ofthe traveling block.

In FIG. 9, a slight modification of the sheave arrangement of the crownis shown, the sheaves C and D and their supporting plates 57 beingparallel to the adjacent end of the frame, and the other sheaves E, Fand G and their supporting plate 58 being at a greater angle to the endsof the frame. The traveling block will then hang at a slight angle fromthe relative position of FIG. 5.

As previously explained, in order to free the traveling block 15 foroperation during short intervals when disconnected stands of pipe 22 areto be handled, the mentioned grip or stab 2t) and cat line 24 areemployed to move such stands 22 [are] as required. The construction ofthis grip or stab 2G is illustrated in FIG. 7. It comprises an elongatedgenerally cylindrical body member 60, adapted to be inserted into anycollar 21 at the upper end of any length of drill pipe 22. The stab alsoincludes a vertically movable gripping finger 62 provided on its outerface with a plurality of gripping teeth 64. The finger 62 is bevelled toslide upon a corresponding bevelled face 65, on the'respective sideofthe body member 60. On the inner bevelled face of the finger 62 there isintegrally provided an inwardly extending lug 66 which works in an axialbore receiving a coiled rear spring 68. The spring 68 acts to disengagethe fihger from the interior of the collar 21 or the pipe 22. However,so long as the weight of the pipe 22 is exerted upon the retention teeth64 of the finger 62, the weight of the pipe being carried by the catline 24 through the body member 60, the stab is retained automaticallyin operative position. When the section of pipe 22 is rested on thederrick floor or is rested with its bottom coupling 23 in engagementwith an underlying collar 21, and draft on the cat line 24 is released,disengagement of the stab 20 may be effected by jerking the control lineor guide line 27, which jerk is transmitted to the body member 60through an overhanging laterally projecting arm '78. A similar arm 72 isprovided on the top of the finger 62, and this arm is used to engage theteeth 64 with the collar 21 or pipe 22 when preparing to lift a stand ofpipe 22. It is usually within reach of the operator if the stands ofpipe are selected to be of approximately equal length; otherwise, resortto a jerk line will be required.

By the means described, when pulling pipe out of the hole for example,after a stand of pipe has been withdrawn from the hole and the pipestring landed upon conventional slips of the rotary table, the stab 20is introduced into the upper end of the exposed stand of pipepreparatory to moving the stand as soon as it has been disconnected fromthe string of pipe hanging in the hole from the slips. During theinterval of time while the thread is being disconnected, plus the timealso consumed at present for setting the stand of pipe back in thederrick, the elevator can be released and the traveling block be loweredto the floor. Thus, the traveling block 15 and its elevator 4t], 44 arefree for engagement with the upper end of the suspended string wherebyto lift the latter as soon as the disconnected stand has been moved overby the stab and cat line to stack the same in the derrick. Indisconnecting the traveling block of this invention from the pipe 22, itis necessary merely to open the locking jaw 44 and swing the travelingblock 15 laterally slightly away from the pipe. Similarly the travelingblock 15 may be engaged with a length of pipe at any location merely byswinging the block, with the locking jaw 44 open, laterally intoposition to engage the central curved wall 33 with the adjacent side ofthe pipe. After the locking jaw 44 has been closed, elevation of thetraveling block 15 brings the elevator seat 43 up into engagement withthe pipe collar 21 so that the engaged pipe, whether it be adisconnected stand or the pipe string hanging in the hole, may beremoved as required.

When running pipe into the hole, the next stand of pipe suspended fromthe stab 20 can be positioned over the center of the hole as soon as thelast run-in stand is landed, and during the interval of time required tomake up the connecting joint thread the traveling block can be elevated.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in this artthat, with the traveling block 15 hanging below the crown block by meansof the various runs of the wire line 16, all of these runs will bealmost exactly perpendicular, especially in view of the arrangement ofthe various sheaves described. Also, in view of the fact that allsheaves are of the same diameter, it will also be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that with this arrangement the wear of the wire line16 on the sheaves is reduced to an absolute minimum. It is furtherevident that the traveling block may be connected to a length of pipe ordisconnected therefrom by engagement or disengagement of the elevatormember 40 and its locking jaw 44, and that, by reason of theside-opening gap 35, this may be done with a minimum of efiort, hazardand manipulative skill. This is a great asset in drilling practicesbecause it renders it less essential that the crewmen be highly skilledin drilling-rig technique of performing dangerous operations on the flyand including the manipulation of the traveling block. A further very important advantage of this improvement is due to the ever increasingdepth of drilling and the increased weight of pipe to be handled,because of which hoisting equipment must be made more massive, theheaviest of such today being well beyond the strength of the crewmembers.

Since in a conventional drilling rig crew, or other deep well crew,there are always as many members require-t to handle the conventionaltraveling block as are required to handle both the present travelingblock and the present grip or stab 20, it is apparent that, with thesame crew, operations with the stab and with the traveling block maytake place simultaneously, thereby greatly speeding up the handling ofdrill pipe or other pipe, either in a drilling well or in a producingwell, without increasing the number in the crew.

I claim as my invention:

1. A traveling block and crown block combination including: I

a traveling block having two vertical casing sections verticallyconnected at one side and providing between them at the other side avertical, laterally directed opening extending [substantially theheight] vertically entirely through the block [of the block] and openingout to the side thereof and adapted to receive pipe extending above andbelow the block by sidewise movement;

elevator means secured to the under side of said traveling block inalignment with said opening to engage and support pipe;

vertical sheaves mounted in both of said casing sections on horizontalaxes;

a crown block to be disposed above said traveling block and having twosets of vertical sheaves disposed on horizontal axes all in the samehorizontal plane, most sheaves of one set of crown block sheaves beingrespectively disposed in substantially the same vertical planes as thesheaves of the traveling block, the sheaves of the other set of crownblock sheaves including a spaced pair disposed transversely to said oneset and on opposite sides thereof, all of the sheaves of the two blockshaving the same diameter; and

a line running over the sheaves of the two blocks for supporting andoperating the traveling block from the crown block in balanced relation.

2. A combination as in claim 1 including grip and cable means forsupporting and handling pipe while said traveling block is opera-ted.

3. A traveling block structure including:

two normally vertical housing members joined vertically at one side ofthe block and spaced vertically at the opposite side to produce avertical, laterallyopening gap extending vertically entirely through theblock for reception of pipe extending above and below the block;

elevator means secured at the under side of said housing members inalignment with said gap and adapted to engage and support pipe from itsupper end, said gap being adapted for vertical sliding movement of saidpipe therethrough and being also adapted for relative lateral movementof said pipe bodily to and from said gap at a point along the length ofthe pipe intermediate its ends; and

vertical sheaves arranged in two spaced sets in said housing members toreceive spaced runs of a cable in balanced relation on opposite sides ofsaid gap.

4. A structure as in claim 3 wherein each housing member and its set ofsheaves is disposed at angle to the other housing member and its sheaveswhereby the walls of said gap flare outward to facilitate reception of apipe.

5. A structure as in claim 3 including a vertical bearing wall at theback of said gap to engage said pipe, said elevator means having ahorizontal seat centered with respect to the axis of said bearing wallto support said pipe, said elevator means having a closing jaw to retainsupported pipe on said seat.

6. A traveling block including:

two vertical housing members;

vertical sheaves journalled in each housing member, said members beingdisposed at an angle to each other to provide a flaring,laterally-opening vertical gap extending vertically entirely through theblock to [receive] allow pipe extending above and below the block to bemoved laterally [thereinto from the outside of the block] into and outof the gap;

wall means joining said members at the side opposite said gap;

an approximately central, vertical, curved wall means connectingintermediate portions or" said vertical housing members and providing abearing wall for a vertical pipe disposed in said vertical gap and alongwhich wall said pipe may slide as the block moves vertically relative tothe pipe;

supporting means fixed to the lower portions of said housing members andhaving a horizontal pipe seat whose axis is substantially aligned withthe axis of said curved wall means.

7. A traveling block including:

a casing having vertical housing members joined vertically at one sideof the casing and separated at the opposite side for providing avertical, laterally opening gap into which vertically disposed pipe maybe passed laterally at any place along the length of the P P groups ofsheaves positioned in said housing members and spaced by reason of saidgap between said members; and

a pipe hanger carried by said casing at one end and having a supportingseat open at one side to receive said pipe upon said lateral passage.

8. A block as in claim 7 wherein said casing has an axis extendingvertically through the inner portion of said gap and substantiallycoincidentally with the axis of pipe in said gap, said seat having anaxis substantially coinci'dent with the axes of said casing and saidpipe.

9. In combination: a crown block having a pair of spaced parallelvertical cross-over sheaves and a plurality of vertical sheaves arrangedat angles to one another and disposed transversely between said parallelsheaves;

a travelingblock disposed directly below said crown block and having aplurality of vertical sheaves disposed transversely to said parallelsheaves of said crown block and arranged in plural diverging groupsproviding a laterally directed side opening between them at one side ofthe traveling block, said opening extending vertically entirely throughthe block to receive a pipe extending above and below the block andintroduced into the opening from the respective side, all of saidsheaves being of the same size;

and a cable extending over the sheaves of the two blocks and supportingthe traveling block from the crown block, said equal sheave sizes andangularity of said sheaves of the two blocks resulting in substantiallyvertical disposition of all runs of the cable between said sheaves ofthe two blocks.

10. A combination as in claim 9 wherein said cable passes over one ofsaid parallel cross-over sheaves to one side of the crown block, thencedownward to and under the traveling block sheave at the correspondingside of the traveling block, thence upward to and'over the othercrossover sheave to the other side of the crown block, thence downwardto and under the traveling lock sheave at the other side of thetraveling block, thence upward to an overlying transverse crown blocksheave, thence 11. In combination: a crown block having a pair of,

spaced parallel vertical cross over sheaves and a plurality of verticalsheaves disposed transversely between said parallel sheaves and arrangedin two groups at an acute angle to one another;

a traveling block disposed directly below said crown block and having aplurality of vertical sheaves disposed transversely to said parallelsheaves of said crown block and arranged in two groups at an acute angleto one another corresponding generally with the acute angle of said twogroups of sheaves of the crown block, said traveling block having twovertically extending housing portions joined verticlaly at one side andcarrying respectively the two groups of angularly disposed sheaves, saidtwo housing portions being arranged on substantially the same angle asthe acute angle between the respective sheave groups, there :being avertically extending passage between said two housing portions at thediverging side of said angle and extending vertically entirely through[from top to bottom oi] said traveling block and opening laterally fromthe traveling block from top to bottom whereby a vertically extendinglength of pipe extending above and below the block may be movedlaterally from outside the traveling block into said passage to besupoprted by said traveling block;

elevator means carried by said traveling block adjacent 10 its verticalaxis and in alignment with an inner vertically extending portion of saidpass-age; and

a cable extending over the sheaves of the two blocks and supporting thetraveling block from the crown block, the runs of said cable between thecorresponding sheaves of the two blocks extending substantiallyventically by reason of the angular relationships between the variousgroups of sheaves.

12. A combination as in claim 11 wherein all of said sheaves are ofsubstantially the same size whereby said runs of said cable extendsubstantially parallel to one another.

13. A combination as in claim 11 wherein the axes of all the crown blocksheaves are all in the same horizontal plane, and the axes of all thetraveling block sheaves are in the same horizontal plane.

References Cited by the Examiner The following references, cited by theExaminer, are of record in the patented file of this patent or theoriginal patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

